Hong Kong Plays Vital Role in Fostering Global Shared Future Amid Geopolitical Strains, Says Henry Tang

Henry Tang Ying-yen, president of the Hong Kong Chapter of the Légion d’Honneur Club, has highlighted how escalating geopolitical tensions and rising protectionism underscore the importance of creating “a community with a shared future for mankind,” with the city well-positioned to contribute meaningfully to this goal.

Tang made the comments while speaking at the inaugural Asia-Pacific Symposium hosted by the local chapter of the Society of Members of the Légion d’Honneur. The French honour, established by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802, remains the country’s highest civilian and military distinction.

The event, themed “Regional Exchange and Institutional Cohesion,” was officiated by Chief Secretary for Administration Eric Chan Kwok-ki, Admiral Alain Coldefy, president of the Society of Members of the Légion d’Honneur, and Christile Drulhe, Consul General of France in Hong Kong and Macau. Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury Christopher Hui Ching-yu also addressed the gathering, sharing perspectives on Hong Kong’s evolution as an international financial centre. Attendees included delegates from Australia, France, the Philippines and Thailand.

Emphasising the city’s fundamental advantages, Tang noted that Hong Kong’s enduring edge stems from its role as a platform for international engagement and collaboration. He portrayed the city as a firm supporter of multilateralism and an open economy underpinned by robust legal and financial systems that meet global benchmarks.

“Guided by the ‘One Country, Two Systems’ principle, Hong Kong functions as a leading international financial centre and a worldwide nexus for commerce and cultural activities, promoting diversity, openness and inclusiveness,” Tang said.

He pointed to significant prospects on the horizon, referencing China’s 15th Five-Year Plan, which explicitly calls for Hong Kong to preserve its position as an international financial centre while growing into a bridge for East-West cultural exchange and a global hub for innovation and technology.

“Positioned at the southeastern edge of China and acting as a key link between the mainland and the international community, Hong Kong is set to reap substantial benefits from the continued progress of our motherland,” he added.

Tang also reaffirmed the Hong Kong Chapter’s commitment to strengthening partnerships with French counterparts, particularly the Consulate General of France in Hong Kong and Macau, through collaborative initiatives in education, science and culture that benefit the wider community.

Concluding his address, he observed that the real value of the Légion d’Honneur lies not in the decorations themselves but in the confidence and relationships they help establish. He vowed that the Hong Kong Chapter would remain an active international platform for converting that trust into concrete outcomes and lasting contributions.